Christie's Petworth
Mark Wrey
mwrey@christies.com
Thomas Jenner-Fust
tjenner-fust@christies.com
North Street
Petworth
Sussex, GU28 ODD
Tel: +44 (0)1798 344 440
Fax: +44 (0)1798 344 442
DETAILS:
Founded twenty two years after its "rival", Sotheby´s, Christie’s was founded in 1766, by James Christie, an Englishman. Now owned by Francois Pinault, Christie’s is now a multinational multi-product auctioneer, with revenues in excess of $ 2 Billion.
In 1990, Christie’s set the world record for a painting, with the sale of Vincent Van Gogh´s Portrait of Dr. Gachet, sold for $82.5 Million.
Also, a seller of coins, books and security systems, Christie’s has recently been involved in illegal price-setting with its so-called rival, Sotheby’s. Whether this traditional auctioneer will ever recover its prestige, remains to be seen.